New York City official Zohran Mamdani recently clarified that the city lacks the legal jurisdiction to carry out the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a public statement released via social media, Mamdani explained that after an exhaustive review of municipal legal authorities, it became clear that the city cannot independently act on the ICC’s directive. Consequently, he has urged federal authorities to intervene, arguing that the U.S. government possesses the necessary legal standing to acknowledge the court’s authority and enforce the warrant.

The ICC’s decision to issue the warrant stems from findings of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While Mamdani has explicitly voiced his support for the ICC’s position—asserting that the Prime Minister should face trial for his actions—he faces a direct conflict with federal leadership. President Donald Trump has already pledged that Netanyahu would not be subject to arrest during his potential visit for the United Nations General Assembly, while the Israeli Prime Minister’s office has categorically rejected the legitimacy of the ICC, labeling the proceedings as biased.